VESSEL SPEED CONTROL APPARATUS AND VESSEL STEERING SYSTEM

Abstract

 The boat speed control device is a boat speed control device for a boat including a manual shift device and an outboard motor connected to the manual shift device. The manual shift device includes a shift lever shiftable between a sailing position and a neutral position. The boat speed control device includes an actuator and a controller. The actuator is connected to the shift lever. The controller is configured to control the actuator to shift the shift lever to the sailing position and the neutral position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a boat speed control device and a boat maneuvering system.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, a boat speed control device for automatically adjusting the navigation speed of a boat has been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a trolling device for navigating a boat at ultra-low speed. In this trolling device, the amount of lubricating oil applied to the friction plates of the forward clutch and the reverse clutch is adjusted by a proportional solenoid valve so that the boat travels at ultra-low speed.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP-A-6-80098

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problems

[0004] The conventional boat speed control device as described above is difficult to apply to a boat provided with a shift mechanism that is not hydraulic. Further, even for a boat equipped with a hydraulic shift mechanism, it is not easy to retrofit the boat speed control device because the hydraulic circuit needs to be changed. In particular, since a large space is required for mounting the boat speed control device, it is not easy to mount the boat speed control device on a small boat.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a boat speed control device that can be easily mounted on a small boat.

Solution to Problems

[0006] A boat speed control device according to a first aspect is a boat speed control device for a boat including a manual shift device and an outboard motor connected to the manual shift device. The manual shift device includes a shift lever shiftable between a sailing position and a neutral position. The boat speed control device includes an actuator and a controller. The actuator is connected to the shift lever. The controller is configured to control the actuator to shift the shift lever to the sailing position and the neutral position.

[0007] A boat maneuvering system according to the second aspect includes a manual shift device, an outboard motor, and a boat speed control device. The manual shift device includes a shift lever shiftable between a sailing position and a neutral position. The outboard motor is connected to the manual shift device. The boat speed control device includes an actuator and a controller. The actuator is connected to the shift lever. The controller is configured to control the actuator to shift the shift lever to the sailing position and the neutral position.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0008] In the present invention, the controller controls the actuator to shift the shift lever to the neutral position and the sailing position. Therefore, the boat speed control device can be realized by a small device for operating the shift lever. Therefore, the boat speed control device can be easily mounted on a small boat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a boat equipped with a boat maneuvering system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the outboard motor.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a manual shift device and a boat speed control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the manual shift device and the boat speed control device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the boat speed control device.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing control of the shift lever by the controller.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an existing manual shift device before the boat speed control device is attached.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a boat maneuvering system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a chiller handle.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a boat maneuvering system according to a modified example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a boat 100 equipped with a boat maneuvering system 1a according to the first embodiment. The boat maneuvering system 1a includes an outboard motor 2, a manual shift device 3a, and a boat speed control device 4a.

[0011] The outboard motor 2 is attached to the stern of the boat 100. The outboard motor 2 generates a propulsive force that propels the boat 100. In the present embodiment, the number of outboard motors 2 is one, but two or more outboard motors 2 may be mounted on the boat 100.

[0012] The manual shift device 3a is disposed at the operator seat of the boat 100. The manual shift device 3a is a device for an operator to adjust the boat speed. The manual shift device 3a is a device for the operator to switch between forward and reverse travel of the boat 100.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the outboard motor 2. The outboard motor 2 is attached to the boat 100 via the bracket 11. The outboard motor 2 includes an engine 12, a drive shaft 13, a propeller shaft 14, and a shift mechanism 15.

[0014] The engine 12 generates a propulsive force that propels the boat 100. The engine 12 includes a throttle valve 21. The throttle valve 21 adjusts the intake air amount of the engine 12. The throttle valve 21 is connected to a throttle cable 22. The opening degree of the throttle valve 21 is changed by the push-pull operation of the throttle cable 22. Thereby, engine speed is controlled.

[0015] The engine 12 includes a crankshaft 16. The crankshaft 16 extends in the vertical direction. The drive shaft 13 is connected to the crankshaft 16. The drive shaft 13 extends in the vertical direction. The propeller shaft 14 extends in the front-rear direction. The propeller shaft 14 is connected to the drive shaft 13 via the shift mechanism 15. A propeller 17 is connected to the propeller shaft 14.

[0016] The shift mechanism 15 switches the rotation direction of the power transmitted from the drive shaft 13 to the propeller shaft 14. The shift mechanism 15 includes a bevel gear 31, a forward gear 32, a reverse gear 33, and a dog clutch 34. The bevel gear 31 is connected to the drive shaft 13. The forward gear 32 and the reverse gear 33 are engaged with the bevel gear 31.

[0017] The dog clutch 34 switches between connection and release of the forward gear 32 and the propeller shaft 14 and connection and release of the reverse gear 33 and the propeller shaft 14 by moving in the axial direction of the propeller shaft 14. That is, the shift mechanism 15 is switched between the forward movement state and the reverse movement state.

[0018] When the shift mechanism 15 is in the forward movement state, the forward gear 32 and the propeller shaft 14 are connected, whereby the rotation of the drive shaft 13 is transmitted to the propeller shaft 14 via the bevel gear 31 and the forward gear 32. Thereby, the propeller shaft 14 rotates in the direction in which the boat 100 moves forward. When the shift mechanism 15 is in the reverse movement state, the reverse gear 33 and the propeller shaft 14 are connected to transmit the rotation of the drive shaft 13 to the propeller shaft 14 via the bevel gear 31 and the reverse gear 33. Thereby, the propeller shaft 14 rotates in the direction in which the boat 100 moves backward. When both the forward gear 32 and the reverse gear 33 are released from the propeller shaft 14, the shift mechanism 15 is in a neutral state in which the rotation of the drive shaft 13 is not transmitted to the propeller shaft 14.

[0019] The shift mechanism 15 includes a shift rod 35 and a shift cam 36. The shift rod 35 is connected to the shift cable 37. The shift rod 35 rotates by a push-pull operation of the shift cable 37. The shift cam 36 is connected to the shift rod 35 and moves in the axial direction of the propeller shaft 14 by the rotation of the shift rod 35. The shift cam 36 is connected to the dog clutch 34, and the dog clutch 34 moves in the axial direction of the propeller shaft 14 by the movement of the shift cam 36.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the manual shift device 3a and the boat speed control device 4a according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the manual shift device 3a and the boat speed control device 4a. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the boat speed control device 4a.

[0021] The manual shift device 3a is a remote controller connected to the outboard motor 2 via the throttle cable 22 and the shift cable 37. The manual shift device 3a includes a main body 41 and a shift lever 42. The shift lever 42 is shiftable in the forward direction, the neutral position, and the reverse direction. The shift lever 42 includes a shaft portion 421, a lever portion 422, and a grip portion 423. The shaft portion 421 is rotatably supported by the boat speed control device 4a. The lever portion 422 extends in the radial direction from the shaft portion 421. The grip portion 423 is connected to the tip of the lever portion 422.

[0022] The operator can switch the shift position of the shift lever 42 between the forward direction, the neutral position, and the reverse direction by rotating the shift lever 42 about the rotation axis Ax1 of the shaft portion 421. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the operator rotates the shift lever 42 forward from the neutral position ("42(N) " in FIG. 5), thereby changing the shift position from the neutral position to the forward position ("42(F) " in FIG. 5). The operator switches the shift position from the neutral position to the reverse position ("42(R)" in FIG. 5) by rotating the shift lever 42 backward from the neutral position.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the throttle cable 22 and the shift cable 37 are connected to the main body 41. The shift lever 42 is connected to the throttle cable 22 and the shift cable 37 via the link mechanism 43 in the main body 41. When the operator operates the shift lever 42, the throttle cable 22 and the shift cable 37 each perform a push-pull operation. Thereby, the operator can adjust the state of the shift mechanism 15 and the opening degree of the throttle valve 21.

[0024] The boat speed control device 4a is connected to the manual shift device 3a. The boat speed control device 4a is a device that automatically adjusts the boat speed by automatically operating the manual shift device 3a. The boat speed control device 4a is disposed between the main body 41 and the shift lever 42. The boat speed control device 4a includes a movable member 44, a link member 45, an actuator 46, and a housing 48.

[0025] The movable member 44 connects the shift lever 42 and the main body 41. The movable member 44 is fixed to the shift lever 42 and the link mechanism 43 of the main body 41 by a bolt 49. The movable member 44 includes a center portion 441 and a worm wheel 442.

[0026] The center portion 441 is fixed to the shaft portion 421 of the shift lever 42. The worm wheel 442 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the center portion 441. The link member 45 is a worm gear. The teeth of the link member 45 mesh with the teeth of the worm wheel 442. When the link member 45 rotates around the axis of the link member 45, the movable member 44 rotates around the rotation axis Ax1.

[0027] The actuator 46 is connected to the shift lever 42 via the link member 45 and the movable member 44. The actuator 46 is, for example, an electric motor. The actuator 46 rotates the link member 45 around the axis of the link member 45. Thereby, the shift lever 42 rotates around the rotation axis Ax1 together with the movable member 44.

[0028] The housing 48 is disposed between the main body 41 and the shift lever 42. The housing 48 accommodates the actuator 46, the movable member 44, and the link member 45.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the boat speed control device 4a includes a controller 47. The controller 47 includes a processor such as a CPU and a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The controller 47 stores a program and data for controlling the actuator 46. The controller 47 controls the actuator 46 so as to shift the shift lever 42 between the sailing position and the neutral position. In the present embodiment, the sailing position is the forward position. That is, the controller 47 controls the actuator 46 so as to shift the shift lever 42 between the forward position and the neutral position. The controller 47 is accommodated in the housing 48.

[0030] Note that the worm wheel 442 is disposed in the movable member 44 in a range between a position corresponding to the neutral position of the shift lever 42 and a position corresponding to the forward position. In other words, the worm wheel 442 is not disposed in the range between the position corresponding to the neutral position of the shift lever 42 and the position corresponding to the reverse position in the movable member 44.

[0031] The controller 47 controls the actuator 46 so that the shift lever 42 is intermittently shifted to the forward position. Thereby, the speed of the boat 100 can be maintained at an ultra-low speed lower than the speed corresponding to the idling rotation speed of the engine 12. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the controller 47 controls the actuator 46 so that the shift-in state and the shift-out state are periodically switched at a predetermined shift operation cycle T1. The shift-in state is a state where the shift lever 42 is located at the forward position. The shift-out state is a state where the shift lever 42 is located at the neutral position.

[0032] The controller 47 moves the shift lever 42 from the neutral position to the forward position and maintains the shift lever 42 at the forward position for the duration time t1 (shift-in state). Meanwhile, the shift lever 42 is held at a predetermined operation position within the range of the forward position. The predetermined operation position is preferably a position at which the speed of the boat 100 can be maintained at the above-described ultra-low speed by intermittent operation of the shift lever 42. After the elapse of the duration time t1, the controller 47 moves the shift lever 42 from the forward position to the neutral position and maintains the neutral position until the current shift operation cycle T1 ends (shift-out state). Thereafter, in the next shift operation cycle T1, the controller 47 moves the shift lever 42 from the neutral position to the forward position. Thus, the controller 47 maintains the speed of the boat 100 at a predetermined target speed by alternately switching between the shift-in state and the shift-out state.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the boat speed control device 4a includes adjustment switches 51 and 52. The adjustment switches 51 and 52 are volume switches, for example. The adjustment switches 51 and 52 may be slide type switches or push button type switches. The adjustment switches 51 and 52 include a first switch 51 and a second switch 52.

[0034] The first switch 51 outputs a signal for setting the duration time of the shift-in state. The operator can change the duration time of the shift-in state by changing the operation position of the first switch 51. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the operator can change the duration time of the shift-in state from t1 to t2 by operating the first switch 51.

[0035] The second switch 52 outputs a signal for setting the shift operation cycle. The operator can change the shift operation cycle by changing the operation position of the second switch 52. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the operator can change the shift operation cycle from T1 to T2 by operating the second switch 52.

[0036] Note that, when the shift lever 42 is not automatically controlled by the controller 47, the operation of the shift lever 42 by the operator is transmitted to the link mechanism 43 of the main body 41 through the movable member 44. Therefore, the operator can manually operate the opening degree of the shift mechanism 15 and the throttle valve 21 by operating the shift lever 42.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the boat speed control device 4a includes an operation lamp 53. The operation lamp 53 is lit during execution of automatic control by the boat speed control device 4a.

[0038] According to the boat maneuvering system 1a according to the first embodiment described above, the controller 47 controls the actuator 46 to shift the shift lever 42 between the neutral position and the forward position. Therefore, the boat speed control device 4a can be realized by a small device for operating the shift lever 42. Therefore, the boat speed control device 4a can be easily mounted on the small boat 100.

[0039] The boat speed control device 4a can be attached between the main body 41 and the shift lever 42 of the manual shift device 3a. Accordingly, it can be easily attached to an existing manual shift device 3a as illustrated in FIG 7. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the movable member 44 includes a first fixing portion 443 and a second fixing portion 444. The first fixing portion 443 has a structure that matches the fixing portion 424 of the shift lever 42. The second fixing portion 444 has a structure that matches the attachment portion 431 of the link mechanism 43 of the main body 41. Accordingly, in the existing manual shift device 3a, by detaching the shift lever 42 from the main body 41, attaching the boat speed control device 4a to the main body 41, and attaching the shift lever 42 to the boat speed control device 4a, the boat maneuvering system 1a can be easily mounted on the boat 100.

[0040] The boat speed control device 4a switches the shift lever 42 only between the forward position and the neutral position. That is, the boat speed control device 4a does not switch the shift lever 42 between the reverse position and the neutral position. Therefore, the movable member 44 and the link member 45 can be reduced in size, and thereby the boat speed control device 4a can be reduced in size.

[0041] Next, a boat maneuvering system 1b according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the boat maneuvering system 1b according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the boat maneuvering system 1b according to the second embodiment includes an outboard motor 2, a manual shift device 3b, and a boat speed control device 4b. Since the outboard motor 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0042] The manual shift device 3b is a chiller handle connected to the outboard motor 2. The manual shift device 3b extends forward from the outboard motor 2. The boat speed control device 4b is attached to the manual shift device 3b.

[0043] The outboard motor 2 is supported by the bracket 11 so as to be rotatable around the steering shaft 19. The operator can manually rotate the outboard motor 2 around the steering shaft 19 by rotating the manual shift device 3b around the steering shaft 19. As the outboard motor 2 rotates around the steering shaft 19, the traveling direction of the boat 1 is changed to the left and right.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the manual shift device 3b and the boat speed control device 4b according to the second embodiment. The manual shift device 3b includes a grip 51, a first main body 66, a second main body 67, and a shift lever 54. The grip 51 is provided at the tip of the manual shift device 3b and is a portion that is gripped by the operator. The grip 51 is attached to the first main body 66.

[0045] The first main body 66 rotatably supports the shift lever 54. The shift lever 54 is attached to the manual shift device 3b so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis Ax2. The shift lever 54 is movable to a forward position, a neutral position, and a reverse position. The rotation axis Ax2 of the shift lever 54 extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the manual shift device 3b. The shift lever 54 extends in the radial direction from the rotation axis Ax2.

[0046] The shift lever 54 is connected to the throttle cable 22 and the shift cable 37. The rotation of the shift lever 54 is transmitted to the throttle valve 21 via the throttle cable 22. The rotation of the shift lever 54 is transmitted to the shift mechanism 15 via the shift cable 37. Similar to the first embodiment, when the operator operates the shift lever 54, the throttle cable 22 and the shift cable 37 each perform a push-pull operation. Thereby, the operator can adjust the state of the shift mechanism 15 and the opening degree of the throttle valve 21.

[0047] The second main body 67 is disposed below the first main body 66. The second main body 67 is detachably attached to the first main body 66. The boat speed control device 4b is attached to the second main body 67.

[0048] The boat speed control device 4b includes an actuator 55 and a controller 56. The actuator 55 is connected to the end of the shift lever 54. The actuator 55 is an electric cylinder, for example. The actuator 55 includes a motor 57, a screw portion 58, and a rod 59. The motor 57 is, for example, an electric motor. The screw portion 58 is a slide screw or a ball screw. The rod 59 includes a nut that meshes with the screw portion 58. The screw portion 58 is rotated by the motor 57, and the rod 59 is moved in the axial direction of the rod 59 by the rotation of the screw portion 58. The rod 59 is connected to the end of the shift lever 54, and the shift lever 54 rotates around the rotation axis Ax2 when the rod 59 moves.

[0049] The controller 56 controls the actuator 55 so as to shift the shift lever 54 to the forward position and the neutral position. Since the control of the shift lever 54 by the controller 56 is the same as the control by the controller 47 of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. The boat maneuvering system 1b according to the second embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as the boat maneuvering system 1a according to the first embodiment.

[0050] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of present invention was described, present invention is not limited to the said embodiment, a various change can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0051] The boat speed control device 4a according to the first embodiment can be retrofitted to the existing manual shift device 3a. However, the boat speed control device 4a may not be retrofitable to the existing manual shift device 3a. That is, the boat speed control device 4a may be built in the manual shift device 3a. The boat speed control device 4b according to the second embodiment is the same as the boat speed control device 4a according to the first embodiment.

[0052] The structure of the shift mechanism 15 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be changed. The structure of the manual shift devices 3a and 3b is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be changed. The structure of the boat speed control devices 4a and 4b is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be changed. For example, the structures of the movable member 44 and the link member 45 of the boat speed control device 4a may be changed. The structure of the screw portion 58 and the rod 59 of the boat speed control device 4b may be changed.

[0053] The actuators 46 and 55 are not limited to electric motors, and may be other actuators such as hydraulic actuators.

[0054] The configuration of the adjustment switches 51 and 52 may be changed. The adjustment switches 51 and 52 are not limited to mechanical switches, and may be software keys displayed on a touch screen, for example. The controller 47 according to the first embodiment may change the target speed according to the positions of the adjustment switches 51 and 52. Further, the controller 47 may automatically determine the shift operation cycle and the duration time of the shift-in state according to the target speed. Alternatively, the adjustment switches 51 and 52 may be omitted.

[0055] The controller 47 may switch the shift lever 54 intermittently between the reverse position and the neutral position. Alternatively, an intermittent operation between the forward position and the neutral position and an intermittent operation between the reverse position and the neutral position may be selectable by the operator. The controller 56 according to the second embodiment may be changed similarly to the controller 47 according to the first embodiment.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the throttle valve 21 and the shift mechanism 15 are driven by the push-pull operation of the throttle cable 22 and the shift cable 37. However, the throttle valve 21 and the shift mechanism 15 may be driven by an actuator such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a boat maneuvering system according to a modification. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the boat maneuvering system according to the modification may include an ECU 61, a throttle actuator 62, and a shift actuator 63. The ECU 61 includes a processor such as a CPU and a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The ECU 61 stores a program and data for controlling the outboard motor 2. The ECU 61 is communicably connected to the manual shift device 3c.

[0058] The throttle actuator 62 is an electric motor, for example, and is controlled by a command signal from the ECU 61. The throttle actuator 62 is connected to the throttle valve 21 and changes the opening of the throttle valve 21 in accordance with a command signal from the ECU 61.

[0059] The shift actuator 63 is an electric motor, for example, and is controlled by a command signal from the ECU 61. The shift actuator 63 is connected to the shift mechanism 15, for example, the shift rod 35, and controls the shift mechanism 15 according to a command signal from the ECU 61.

[0060] The manual shift device 3c includes a sensor 64 that detects the position of the shift lever 42. The sensor 64 outputs an operation signal indicating the position of the shift lever 42. An operation signal from the sensor 64 is transmitted to the ECU 61 via the cable 65. That is, in the boat maneuvering system according to the modification, the cable 65 is a communication line that transmits a signal from the manual shift device 3c.

[0061] Similar to the boat speed control device 4a according to the first embodiment, the boat speed control device 4c according to the modification controls the shift lever 42 of the manual shift device 3c so as to shift to the sailing position and the neutral position. In FIG. 10, the manual shift device 3c is a remote controller similar to that of the first embodiment, but may be a chiller handle similar to that of the second embodiment.

[0062] The ECU 61 acquires the operation position and the operation amount of the shift lever 42 from the operation signal of the sensor 64. The ECU 61 outputs a command signal to the throttle actuator 62 so as to increase or decrease the engine speed according to the operation amount of the shift lever 42. Further, the ECU 61 switches the shift mechanism 15 to one of the forward movement state, the neutral state, and the reverse movement state in accordance with the operation position of the shift lever 42.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0063] In the present invention, the controller controls the actuator to shift the shift lever to the neutral position and the sailing position. Therefore, the boat speed control device can be realized by a small device for operating the shift lever. Therefore, the boat speed control device can be easily mounted on a small boat.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0064] 

42, 54 Shift lever

3a-3c Manual shift device

2 Outboard motor

4a-4c Boat speed control device

46, 55 Actuator

47, 56 Controller

421 Shaft portion

422 Lever portion

423 Grip

41 Main body

44 Movable member

45 Link member

48 Housing

51 Grip

66 First main body

67 Second main body

51, 52 Adjustment switch

12 Engine

Claims

1. A boat speed control device for a boat, the boat including a manual shift device and an outboard motor, the manual shift device including a shift lever shiftable between a sailing position and a neutral position, the outboard motor connected to the manual shift device, the boat speed control device comprising:

an actuator connected to the shift lever; and

a controller configured to control the actuator to shift the shift lever to the sailing position and the neutral position.

2. The boat speed control device according to claim 1, wherein
the shift lever is shiftable to a forward position, a reverse position, and the neutral position, the sailing position is the forward position, and
the actuator is configured to shift the shift lever only between the neutral position and the forward position.

3. The boat speed control device according to claim 1, wherein
the shift lever includes
a shaft portion rotatably supported,
a lever portion extending in a radial direction from the shaft portion, and
a grip connected to a tip of the lever portion.

4. The boat speed control device according to claim 1, wherein
the manual shift device is a remote controller connected to the outboard motor via a cable, and
the boat speed control device is connected to the remote controller.

5. The boat speed control device according to claim 4, wherein
the manual shift device includes a main body to which the cable is connected, and
the boat speed control device is disposed between the main body and the shift lever, and transmits motion of the shift lever to the main body.

6. The boat speed control device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a movable member connecting the shift lever and the main body;

a link member connecting the movable member and the actuator; and

a housing that houses the actuator, the movable member, and the link member and is disposed between the main body and the shift lever.

7. The boat speed control device according to claim 1, wherein
the manual shift device is a chiller handle connected to the outboard motor, and
the boat speed control device is attached to the chiller handle.

8. The boat speed control device according to claim 7, wherein
the shift lever extends in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the chiller handle.

9. The boat speed control device according to claim 8, wherein
the chiller handle includes
a grip,
a first main body to which the grip is attached and that supports the shift lever, and
a second main body detachably attached to the first main body, and
the boat speed control device is attached to the second main body.

10. The boat speed control device according to claim 1, wherein
the controller is configured to control the actuator to intermittently shift the shift lever to the sailing position.

11. The boat speed control device according to claim 10, wherein
the controller is configured to control the actuator to periodically switch the shift lever between a shift-in state where the shift lever is located at the sailing position and a shift-out state where the shift lever is located at the neutral position at a predetermined shift operation cycle.

12. The boat speed control device according to claim 11, further comprising an adjustment switch that outputs a signal for setting the a duration time of the shift-in state and/or the shift operation cycle.

13. The boat speed control device according to claim 10, wherein
the outboard motor includes an engine, and
the controller is configured to control the actuator so that a speed of the boat is lower than a speed corresponding to an idling rotational speed of the engine.

14. A boat maneuvering system comprising:

a manual shift device including a shift lever shiftable between a sailing position and a neutral position;

an outboard motor connected to the manual shift device; and

a boat speed control device including

an actuator connected to the shift lever, and

a controller configured to control the actuator to shift the shift lever to the sailing position and the neutral position.

15. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 14, wherein
the shift lever is shiftable to a forward position, a reverse position, and the neutral position, the sailing position is the forward position, and
the actuator is configured to shift the shift lever only between the neutral position and the forward position.

16. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 14, wherein
the manual shift device is a remote controller connected to the outboard motor via a cable, and
the boat speed control device is connected to the remote controller.

17. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 16, wherein
the manual shift device includes a main body to which the cable is connected, and
the boat speed control device is disposed between the main body and the shift lever, and transmits motion of the shift lever to the main body.

18. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 17, wherein
the boat speed control device includes
a movable member connecting the shift lever and the main body,
a link member connecting the movable member and the actuator, and
a housing that houses the actuator, the movable member, and the link member, and is disposed between the main body and the shift lever.

19. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 14, wherein
the manual shift device is a chiller handle connected to the outboard motor, and
the boat speed control device is attached to the chiller handle.

20. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 19, wherein
the chiller handle includes
a grip,
a first main body to which the grip is attached and that supports the shift lever, and
a second main body detachably attached to the first main body, and
the boat speed control device is attached to the second main body.

21. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 14, wherein
the controller is configured to control the actuator to intermittently shift the shift lever to the sailing position.

22. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 21, wherein
the controller is configured to control the actuator to periodically switch the shift lever between a shift-in state where the shift lever is located at the sailing position and a shift-out state where the shift lever is located at the neutral position at a predetermined shift operation cycle.

23. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 22, further comprising
an adjustment switch that outputs a signal for setting a duration time of the shift-in state and/or the shift operation cycle.

24. The boat maneuvering system according to claim 21, wherein
the outboard motor includes an engine, and
the controller is configured to control the actuator so that a speed of the boat is lower than a speed corresponding to an idling rotational speed of the engine.

Drawing